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You won’t have to worry about lugging heavy bags thanks to these carts. aluminum hand truck
Barbara Bellesi Zito is a writer with nearly two decades of experience covering various home and lifestyle topics, including real estate and home improvement trends, home and garden products, personal finance, and shopping trends.
Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
When it comes to lugging heavy bags of groceries, shopping carts are a game changer. After all, they allow you to carry more bags without making your arms sore in the process. With so many options out there, however, it can be difficult to choose the best option for your needs.
According to Leslie Kilgour, a professional organizer and founder of Get It Straight, having a shopping cart “makes life a lot easier for people who do not own a car and who do their shopping locally in their neighborhood. While grocery delivery services are convenient, they are costly, so a sturdy shopping cart comes in clutch, especially for those who need assistance carrying multiple bags at one time.”
To determine the best shopping carts, we tried twelve options at our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa, and in our own homes and neighborhoods for six months. We also consulted Kilgour on what to look for in the best shopping cart.
During testing, we evaluated each option for its design, maneuverability, capacity, and value. To learn more about how we tested shopping carts, check out our testing process below.
It’s spacious and can maneuver well, even up a flight of stairs.
The mesh-like bag doesn’t allow for much stability when packing items.
Overall, our favorite shopping cart was the VersaCart Transit. During testing, we found that this cart was spacious enough to carry groceries and still have more room for more.
We liked that the bag features a top flap, which means your bags won’t get wet if you get caught in rain or snow on the way home from the supermarket. The bag itself was strong and durable with a square design that makes it easy to pack items efficiently.
During testing, we liked that the bag can even be detached and used as a bag on its own. We were surprised that there wasn’t an insert for the bottom to give it more structure or stability, but the cart is stronger than it appears. We were able to load up 40 pounds without any sagging, and the weight limit is listed as 120 pounds.
Maneuverability was a cinch thanks to a whopping eight wheels—two at each corner—so this pick could spin, take corners, and go up and down stairs easily. The handles on this shopping cart weren’t adjustable, but taller individuals should have no problem pushing or pulling it.
We appreciate that it’s easy to lift while folded, and unlike other carts on our list, it can be pulled while folded without trouble. The best part was that we found it simple to lift and pull the cart up a set of stairs—a bonus feature to some, but a very necessary one to city dwellers traversing subway steps or walk-up apartment buildings. However, when full during long-term testing, we found it harder to maneuver up multiple flights of stairs.
The sleek design when folded makes it perfect for stowing in a vehicle or small apartment when not in use. We think all these features make this cart a great value for the price.
Product Details: Material: Alloy steel frame, pvc bag | Dimensions: 18.75 x 37.5 x 22.5 inches | Folded Dimensions: 8 x 43 x 9 inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Weight Capacity: 120 pounds | Folding: Yes | Wheels: Yes
It’s easy to maneuver, plus the bag can be used on its own as a tote.
The bag doesn’t have pockets or another place to store fragile items, like eggs or wine bottles.
If you don’t want to invest a lot in a shopping cart that you might only use occasionally or you want a spare to stow in a car trunk, the Dbest Products Cruiser Cart is the best option. This folds up quite slim, so it doesn’t need much room when it’s not in use.
We liked the bag that lines the cart, but it would have been even better if it had internal pockets to secure smaller or breakable items. The bag is removable, so it’s a nice option to use as a shoulder tote on its own.
The cart’s handle height isn’t adjustable, but it was comfortable enough for someone around 5’5”; taller individuals might want a cart with a taller or at least an adjustable handle. While long-term testing, our taller tester felt like she was slumping down while carrying it, which became uncomfortable on longer trips.
The wheels are a bit bulky, but maneuvering it was easy, even up the stairs, which was a nice surprise for a budget-friendly cart. It’s a simple, practical design that offers a good value for the price.
Product Details: Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 18 x 36 x 18 inches | Folded Dimensions: 18 x 36 x 6.5 inches | Weight: 6 pounds | Weight Capacity: 55 pounds | Folding: Yes | Wheels: Yes
It’s quite large and the sturdy wheels make it easy to maneuver on flat surfaces.
It’s not great for going upstairs.
The Costway Folding Shopping Cart felt like we were pushing a smaller grocery cart at times, but unlike those at your local market, this folds up and clips together.
The cart features two spacious sections for convenient loading, though it's best to add a liner or keep everything in bags to avoid spilling through the openings. The main section is best for larger items or bagged items with a slimmer compartment in the back.
While testing the cart at home in a city, it became part of our weekly routine. We took it half a mile to our grocery store for regular shopping, and we've also used it to haul bags of dog food from the pet store.
Despite its bulkiness, it can be carted upstairs on the back wheels. It’s too big to lift on its own otherwise, plus it tends to fold in on itself if you attempt to move it that way when empty. The smaller front wheels rotate, which helps with mobility, but we found that all four wheels worked quite well without sticking, which made maneuvering around cones during testing a breeze.
The plastic handle has a grooved grip, but it slid around a lot during testing. Overall, we thought the cart was a good value for its capacity and maneuverability.
Product Details: Material: Steel and rubber | Dimensions: 24 x 39.6 x 24.4 inches | Folded Dimensions: 24 x 8.7 x 44.5 x 24 inches | Weight: 13 pounds | Weight Capacity: 88 pounds | Folding: Yes | Wheels: Yes
The wheels are designed for smooth transport, even up stairs.
The cart isn’t suited for huge grocery hauls, plus the handle isn’t high enough for taller users.
Want to carry groceries up the stairs in one trip? The Dbest Products Stair Climber Trolley Dolly can actually scale stairs without a hassle.
It was a cinch to pull up the stairs during testing, which is not something we can say for every shopping cart on this list. It also maneuvered around corners quite well, though we thought it would be even better if the wheels swiveled.
We like that this cart folds up to be nice and compact, too, so it’s perfect for storing in a trunk or a closet. The canvas bag has both a drawstring and a velcro lid to secure the contents. The drawback is that the bag isn’t big enough for a huge haul, so we think it’s better for quicker shopping trips.
Still, we appreciate that there are two outer zipper pockets for storing smaller items to which you might need immediate access. Taller users might find the stationary handle to be a bit low. We would like it even more if the bag were bigger or insulated, but overall, it’s super efficient for those who need to traverse subway steps or live in walk-up apartments.
While long-term testing this cart at home, we brought it on multiple farmer's market trips. The wheels were responsive enough to navigate through busy crowds, and the stand allowed us to let it go without risking the cart falling while we browsed.
Product Details: Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 17.5 x 38.5 x 18 inches | Folded Dimensions: 10.5 x 26 x 18 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Weight Capacity: 110 pounds | Folding: Yes | Wheels: Yes
It has an adjustable handle and maneuvers easily, much like a small carry-on suitcase.
It has limited capacity compared to other carts.
Whether you’re heading to a tailgate party or home from the store after scoring a deal on your favorite wine, the Dbest Products Ultra Compact Cooler Smart Cart comes in clutch. It looks and maneuvers much like a small suitcase, right down to the retractable handle.
The cart is quite lightweight on its own, but it holds up to four gallons. You can collapse the bag for easier storage and lower the handle, but otherwise, this does not fold up like the other carts on our list. However, it's on the smaller side, making it easy to store. During our long-term testing, we kept it in our car's trunk to assist with grocery hauls and bring to children's soccer games and playdates.
Like a suitcase, this cart is much better for pulling. We found it rolled easily and took turns smoothly. The wheels can glide up stairs, but we preferred using the handle to carry it up instead.
After a few months of use, the retractable handle occasionally sticks, but it hasn't changed its overall functionality. It’s easy to see that it doesn’t hold as many items as other carts, but it kept the ones that it could hold safe and intact, so it’s good for fragile items like wine bottles and eggs.
Product Details: Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 13.5 x 13.5 x 10.75 inches | Folded Dimensions: N/a | Weight: 3 pounds | Weight Capacity: 4 gallons | Folding: No | Wheels: Yes
The VersaCart Transit topped our list for its spacious storage and easy maneuverability even on stairs. It also folds up for convenient storage, which is ideal especially for those who live in a small space.
We got rolling right away to find the best shopping carts, first by observing how easy it was to maneuver and lift them while empty. Then, we filled them with a small grocery load including a carton of eggs, a six-pack of canned drinks, a loaf of French bread, some produce, and two bottles of wine.
Next, we took each full cart through an obstacle course to simulate an actual trek through the city streets, including a set of stairs to simulate subway or apartment stairs. We also timed ourselves to see how easy it was to cut turns and traverse stairs.
Upon reaching the finish line, we inspected the contents of each cart, noting if there was any breakage or other damage to the food and drinks. For dolly-type carts, we took to the same course a second time, this time removing the bag and loading up a full water cooler to test for mobility.
After emptying the carts, we folded each one up, noting how easy and compact (or not) each was for storage. We made our final selections for our best shopping carts list based on durability, mobility, size, capacity, and overall value.
Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
Many of the products on our best shopping carts list are made from sturdy metal. If you plan to roll through city streets with a full load of groceries, this indeed might be the most durable option for you.
However, if you plan to make small, quick shopping trips, you might consider a smaller polyester version like the Dbest products Ultra Compact Cooler Smart Cart, which offers much better structure and insulation than the larger yet sturdy metal carts.
There’s two sets of shopping cart dimensions you’ll want to note—those of when it’s open and ready for use and those of when it’s closed and ready for storage. Ideally, you’ll want a cart that’s spacious enough for whatever you need it to carry.
However, if you’re short on space at home, you’ll want to choose one that folds up compactly to fit easily in a closet or stay tucked away in the trunk of a car. Note that all of our favorite shopping carts are foldable except for the Dbest Products Ultra Compact Cooler Smart Cart, our best cooler option.
Even though wheels make it easy to get around with a full shopping cart, you’ll still need to consider the weight of the empty cart to understand its true portability. For example, if you’ll be lifting the car in and out of the trunk often, then you’ll want a lightweight cart that won’t turn the task into an arm workout.
Most importantly, if you’ll be rolling up and down stairs, you’ll need to consider the weight of the cart plus its contents so that you don’t damage your shopping haul or injure yourself in the process. “Make sure it’s not too big for you to wield,” says Kilgour. “You don't want to be taken down by a shopping cart.”
The best shopping carts are the ones that meet your needs for getting around town. Some shopping carts are designed for big grocery hauls while some are perfect for toting just a few items from the convenience mart or liquor store down the street.
If you need to do a large grocery store trip, consider our best overall pick, the VersaCart Transit. During testing, we were able to fit all of groceries and still have room for more items.
Don’t assume all shopping cart wheels are made the same, especially if stairs are involved. “Make sure the wheels are strong and roll well, " says Kilgour.
If you need a shopping cart that can handle stairs, we highly recommend the Dbest Products Stair Climber Trolley Dolly. The wheels are designed for easy transport, which made it easy to use during testing.
You’ll also want to consider the handle. Some shopping carts come with handles that are adjustable in height, so you can find what works best for your own height.
Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
The Honshine Foldable Cart with Stair Climbing Wheels is a lightweight, plastic cart that we thought was too lightweight to tote anything heavy or fragile. The adjustable luggage-type handle simply wasn’t long enough, so this is not a great option for taller individuals.
The wicker design on the Olli Ella Rattan Big Luggy Rolling Market Cart looks great, but made for a creaky-sounding experience. While we were able to store a lot of groceries in it, the basket’s round design got in the way of packing it. We also found the wheels to be too rigid for toting upstairs, and we would have preferred the handle to have a grip.
We loved how the three-wheel design on the Rolser Stair-Climbing Rolling Cart made it easy to tote this upstairs, but it did make it more difficult to cut around corners. Though this is a more attractive cart than most, we thought the flimsier design didn’t warrant the high price tag.
Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
All of the products that made our best shopping carts list come in at under $100, the Dbest Products Cruiser Cart being one of the least expensive options.
If you’ll be using your cart on a regular basis, we think it’s worth splurging on something that will last. Plus, if you’ve been having groceries delivered, the money you save in delivery fees will most likely pay for the cost of any shopping cart you purchase.
Aside from hauling groceries, you can use a shopping cart for transporting just about anything else you can fit in it, including loads of laundry.
“Laundry is really heavy and the shopping cart can help you get more loads done in a time frame,” Kilgour says. Other uses might include toting work or sports equipment and party supplies. “It's just a handy, necessary tool to have in your home,” she says.
No, provided you get one that folds. “I'm a huge fan of foldable or collapsible shopping carts because you can store them in a small space, like in a closet or even under the bed, and pull them out when you need them,” Kilgour says.
Barbara Bellesi Zito is a writer from Staten Island, New York, covering all things home and lifestyle for Better Homes & Gardens. To compile this list of the best shopping carts, Barbara analyzed lab insights from our testing site in Des Moines, Iowa. She also consulted Leslie Kilgour, professional organizer and founder of Get It Straight in Long Island, New York.
portable luggage cart Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.